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MNHQ

Tell npower your top tips and ideas for enjoying the summer school holidays - you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

232 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 28/07/2015 16:36

The team at npower would love to hear about your top tips and ideas for enjoying the summer holidays.

npower say "We know that the summer holidays can often be stressful and finding activities to keep your children busy can be a challenge so we’d love to hear your hints and tips for a fun-filled stress-free summer. We can’t wait to hear your great creative ideas for getting through those 6 weeks come rain or shine."

With 6 weeks or more off in the summer, finding ways to keep your DCs entertained can sometimes be a challenge. So, what are your top tips for planning summer holiday activities? Do you like to do some research and advanced planning? Or do you prefer to be spontaneous? Does the weather affect your plans at all? What top tips do you have for having fun whatever the weather?

Please note, your comments may be used - anonymously of course - by npower on their social media channels, website and possibly elsewhere, Please only post if you're happy with this.

Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Standard Insight T&Cs apply.

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

OP posts:
HomefromHome1 · 09/08/2015 12:28

Head outside-walks, picnic's and trips to the beach. The library has lots of free things going on and look at "what's on" websites for local family days.

farhanac · 09/08/2015 12:30

Pitch the tent up in the garden for some summer night camping

OldBloodCallsToOldBlood · 09/08/2015 12:33

The weather here had been miserable, so we've been concentrating on indoor activities. The biggest hit has been introducing a new board game each week - my five year old is now completely addicted to Snakes and Ladders!

Marg2k8 · 09/08/2015 12:55

You don't have to spend money to have fun. Make an obstacle course in your back garden and get the kids to complete it with a beaker of water in their hand to fill up a bucket in the quickest time.

tubbss · 09/08/2015 12:56

Always check the local papers and council website for things to do. Our local council do loads of events both in the town centre and in local parks that are all free to do - the kids love it and so does my wallet!

cheryl100 · 09/08/2015 15:17

I plan each week in advance so I know exactly what we are doing, and can tell my son. I search for local free events and use discount codes and tesco vouchers to make it more affordable!

alsproject · 09/08/2015 16:33

If you have an old video camera that is not being used, let the kids use it to create their own stories

tamalyn1 · 09/08/2015 16:45

pack up a sandwich lunch and take the children out for walks locally, visit a lake, or walk up a mountain, feed the ducks, go crab fishing, all very cheap but fun things to do.

JoJoBaldwin · 09/08/2015 16:51

Investigate local summer schools, some are amazingly good value and a great way for youngsters to try out new activities. We also go camping locally as fun and cheap. And we also live near the beach so have lots of playmates there.

happysouls · 09/08/2015 17:04

Get outdoors exploring, find some great places where you can spend great long full days out! Its cheap, it can be great fun if you put the effort in! For example a reservoir locally to me has an absolutely beautiful car park where you can park for the day for £4. For that you get great picnic spots including a BBQing area, coffee and gift shop, lots of lovely walks and a fantastic playground for children better than most local parks. You could spend hours there!
Picking up a cheap tent and trying out camping even if you don't go too far from home is a great adventure too.

MrRichTea · 09/08/2015 17:37

RHS / NATURAL TRUST Passes are a god-send!

jennie1984j · 09/08/2015 18:46

Join local facebook groups to find out about local activities

JoGibbons · 09/08/2015 18:55

Last year we entered lots of competitions like writing poetry and drawing pictures, I also got the kids to get a blue peter badge each which we are hoping to use for this summer for free entry to attractions. This year we have taken up geocaching and are exploring lots of the local area we have never been to before.

mave · 09/08/2015 19:58

I get our local free kids direct magazine and circle all the activities so they have a good variety of things to do! Picnics to save money, library challenge and lots of baking, drawing and painting on rainy days!!

julieef · 09/08/2015 20:01

on dry days take them to the park, or bike riding with maybe a picnic down the beach.
On rainy days visit the cinema as a treat, and swimming will keep them entertained.
I also like to do crafts, like card making, painting pictures and posters, they love it

balloon66 · 09/08/2015 20:07

Don't feel you have to fill every day. My kids love spending time at home as well, just relaxing.

Theimpossiblegirl · 09/08/2015 20:10

Reciprocal sleepovers have been great this summer. I get time off, the girls get nights away and then I have a turn hosting.

angiehoggett · 09/08/2015 20:17

relax, have fun and remember you don't have to spend a fortune to have a good time!

freefan · 09/08/2015 20:18

Get out every day regardless of the weather and give the kids a camera to take a few photos each, get them printed and a great memory collage can be made reminding them of all the great adventures- beats sitting in on computer games.

Maiyakat · 09/08/2015 21:14

We have no garden so spend a lot of time at various parks and walking (or in DD's case scooting) places whenever possible. I'm on a brilliant facebook group where people recommend days out or link to local events - great for new ideas.

RACHELSMITH45 · 09/08/2015 21:15

Do your research about what's on in the area. Free things at children's centres/parks, discounted play centre days (mornings tend to be quieter in the hols!), discounted kids am cinema days, discounted day trips park / zoos on websites such as groupon. Get planning ahead and budget each week so that you are doing a mixture of both free events and paid ones then your money stretches that bit further :-)

pusinky · 09/08/2015 21:27

we have a swimming pool nearby and we go once a week. They also like to bake and decorate cookies.

BoboBunnyH0p · 09/08/2015 21:34

We always take part in the Summer Reading Challenge with the library. I also arrange a meet up half way thru the holidays at a local park with some of the other parents of the kids friends. They all get to play together and we all get to catch up and we all bring and share a picnic.

National Trust family membership is a god send can pack up a picnic and enjoy a lovely house garden or coast for the day.

Crown · 09/08/2015 21:54

Take the kids for a walk in the countryside, it is healthy and you will see lots of wildlife.

superhez · 09/08/2015 22:17

We keep an eye on facebook or local websites for free/fun events and try and meet up with other parents as often as possible to give the kids someone ele to play with and the mum's some adult conversation.